Emma-Kate O’Reilly reports. The third heat of the much anticipated Battle of the Bands took place on Friday 5th February. The battle ground was the up and coming music venue The Sail Inn, which is establishing itself as the new hotspot for original alternative music. The artists came from far …

Despite the economic downturn and the swingeing cuts brought with it, unemployment figures remain below the UK national average in Northern Ireland. Damien Edgar asks why youth unemployment figures are at the bottom of the UK youth employment statistics. The most recent Labour Force Survey’s statistics reveal that almost a fifth of Northern …

Have you ever wondered what growing up with out a parent could be like? No-one to teach you your ABC or count your 123. No-one to tickle your toes and no-one to clean your nose. Fostering in Northern Ireland is at an all time low with 100 long term foster …

By Hannah Goodall There’s an old saying, “Too many superheroes can spoil the film”. Well, not quite, but that was the fear felt by the vast Marvel fandom when plans for an Avengers film were made public. An idea that worked well in the panels of a comic book but …

Alcohol addiction – a report by James Tait There exists a ‘Why would we give money to help those people?’ attitude in Northern Ireland in regards to alcoholics, according to Dr. Claire Armstrong. Dr. Armstrong, the Director of Addiction NI, believes that those suffering with alcohol addiction are often …

By Jordan Moates Sixteen months after the launch of the widely criticized iPhone 4 came the iPhone 4s. Initially many turned their nose up at the naming, many were expecting the iPhone 5. One can’t help but notice the likeness between the 4 and the 4s. The 4s is virtually …

A review by Will Burton Building on the success of Annie last year, the Letterkenny Musical Society has produced another warm and lovable play for the loyal An Grianán audience. I have to admit that I do not have any recollection of reading or watching Oliver Twist before. It is …

Will Burton reports on the employment challenges facing Derry. Former mayor of Derry, Colum Eastwood SDLP MLA, is not shy in speaking up for the rights of citizens in Derry and the Northwest. He feels strongly about the lack of civil service jobs based in the city. In …

William Burton investigates public reaction to the imposition of the household charge in Donegal The implementation of the household charge of €100 has been one of the most controversial aspects of the economic collapse in Ireland. With revenue sources depleted after the property crash, the government is seeking …

Into the Wild – a review by Michele Canning Sean Penn’s ‘Into the Wild’ With ‘Into the Wild’, Sean Penn dons his director’s hat to tell the real life story of straight-A student Christopher McCandless (Emile Hirsch), who in 1992 donated all his savings to charity, dropped out of society and embarked …